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About JFR Crews

The Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) started in 1965 as an initiative to get youth interested in Forestry and other natural resource careers. Female crews were introduced in the late 1970’s.

The Junior Forest Ranger crews are camp based crews, consisting of eight crew members and two crew leaders. Camp locations are located throughout the province and vary year to year.

Crew members stay with their crew 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for seven weeks – the summer experience is challenging, unique and exciting. This opportunity is open to all Albertans ages 16-18 (after July 1st) who are enrolled in high school.

What to Expect at Camp

 

Youth employed in this program can expect to be away from home for seven to eight weeks.

They can also expect to have a rustic camp experience with a routine schedule:

Every camp is a little different, but some things you should consider before you apply are:

  • You will work outdoors, rain or shine, and get your hands dirty.
  • Throughout the summer, you will build your own bed and sleep in a tent.
  • You will be expected to complete your share of camp chores during the evening and weekends.
  • You will participate in camp activities in the evenings and weekends.
  • You will get bit by bugs and see many types of animals.
  • You will be part of a team and have the time of your life.

Work Projects

The JFRs complete forestry related work projects, participate in industry tours and listen to field experts. Work projects in a typical summer can include the following and more:

  • Mountain Pine Beetle traps
  • Invasive plant species control
  • Mop up on a contained Wildfire
  • Thinning trees to reduce threat of wildfire
  • Trail construction
  • Tree Planting

Equipment Needed

Outdoor living is a lot easier when you have the proper equipment. Take a look at the equipment list for both mandatory and optional items.

2011 Crews

2011 JFR Crew – Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie

The crew accomplished many work projects in exchange for recreation and lived at the Graeme Fire Base just south of Grande Prairie. The crew was busy this year using their hand tools on work projects in exchange for recreation and assisting with mountain pine beetle. The crew joined Hinton this year for an overnight backpacking trip in the beautiful Grande Cache area.
2011 JFR Crew – Hinton

Hinton

An all male crew based in Hinton living in fireline tents at Cache Percotte’s JFR base camp. This crew traveled into parks and had the Hinton Training centre just a few kilometres away to see where all the Alberta Forest Firefighters train. A key project for this crew was the Mountain Legacy Project in Jasper Parks and a backpacking trip in the Rockies.
2011 JFR Crew – Peace River

Peace River

The 2011 winners of the Bull of the Woods competition is an all boys crew based in Manning, just north of Peace River. The crew worked with the area’s land manager and Muskoseepi Park. The crew also had an overnight recreation trip - a canoe trip on the Peace River.
2011 JFR Crew – Rocky Mountain House

Rocky Mountain House

This all female crew based out of Nordegg with mountains in their backyard. Despite the crew spending many days in the rain, the crew was able to accomplish an extensive list of projects including an interpretive trail for an old prescribed burn area. This crew’s spirit carried on at Bull of the Woods where they were the recipients of the 2011 Spirit Award. Recreation for this crew was an overnight backpacking trip with the Grande Prairie crew.
2011 JFR Crew – Whitecourt

Whitecourt

The Whitecourt crew has a base camp inside Carson Pegasus Provincial Campground where they live in Fire line tents and enjoy cooking facilities right at the camp. The crew traveled to Long Lake Outdoor Education Centre and completed various FireSmart and trail maintenance projects. The crew’s recreation trip was an overnight horse packing trip.

 

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Updated: Sep 14, 2011